Romy glides into the room, and her wavy hair, parted in the
middle, sways with every step. There is a calm and elegance about her that is
strangely comforting. Maybe it’s how she seems to know exactly who she is. Her young
daughter bounces alongside her, clearly a fan of her mother’s work.

What
was your inspiration for this collection?

I’m always inspired by vintage pieces. I love designing clothes to
make the women feel feminine, beautiful, and sexy. That’s always my
inspiration, every season. Also, I love the 80s. That’s a big inspiration, you
can always see some of that 80s influence in my silhouettes, but in a modern
way.

Your
choice to have some very structured silhouettes in a completely sheer fabric
made for some really fascinating pieces. What led you to choose that
combination?

Well I love flowy pieces that move with the body. But I’m also
interested in big shoulders, like even if I do something flowy, I still do a
shoulder, shoulder pads, or something. I like that structure even if it’s sheer
and flowy.

If
you had to describe your design aesthetic as a print, what would it be?

My logo! Which is coming next season.

On
your website, you talk about how moving to Dubai ushered in a new era for you
as a designer. What is it about Dubai that moved you in this way?

Well I studied fashion styling, and then I studied designing as
well. You know, I have two kids, and they were both in school, and it was
always a dream of mine to start designing. So I really started doing pieces for
myself, and then friends and family members wanted to buy them off of me, and
then that’s how it started.

What
article of clothing, accessory, or gadget would you say is a designer’s best
friend?

Shoes. They totally make the outfit.

What
is something currently happening in the fashion world that you find exciting?

What I find really exciting is that fashion is going back. There
is so much inspiration from the past. I just find that looking into your past
can be so enriching. Even from my first collection, my grandfather was an actor
in Sweden and my father left me all these old leather bound books with all his
movies. The collection grew from that. I always look to the past for
inspiration. I think we need that, nostalgia. It’s comforting.

Knowing
that you love working with vintage fabrics, which decade of style is your
favorite? Why?

The 80s are my favorite for sure. I just really like how in the
80s women really put themselves together. Got dressed up, put makeup on–I
mean, I’m not into like the big hair–but you know there was just something
about it that was very feminine, sexy, and beautiful, so I take that part of it
and I use it.

What
motivates you to create?

My kids, my daughter especially I want her to be proud of me and see that you have to be a strong independent woman, and work hard.

Nicholas Mayfield is intentionally an enigma. He likes to
philosophize if you happen to be in his company, but in general, he wants his
pieces to speak for themselves, so he avoids the limelight. With specs of paint
on his hands, and dark sunglasses on his face, this artist opens up about his
collection in a raspy, gentle voice.

What
was your inspiration for this collection?

My daughter is the reason why I even do any of this. It’s the
story of how our lives are intertwined. It’s really weird because I didn’t
really think about it until recently, since my daughter asks me questions, that
I’ve known her mother since seventh grade. So I think about like the dances we
went to back in the day, and just being friends, and how we grew and evolved.
It’s just such a beautiful love story. Like of all the times that we smiled and
we wild out, my daughter has that same smile.

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

So
I love the painted textiles that you have throughout the collection. How do you
decide what colors to use for your pieces?

Want to know the truth? I only use those colors because those are
the colors that I have. So I just use those because you always have more than
enough. Isn’t that crazy though? You always have more than enough.

If
you had to describe your design aesthetic as a scent, what would it be?

Palo Santo.

If
fashion is your first love, your second is?

My first love is actually art. I love drawing, I wanted to be a
cartoonist as a kid. I got into clothing out of high school. Senior year I
decided that’s what I wanted to do. I mean this was during the time when it was
not cool. I mean I was skating with my basketball shoes, they were dunks, and
for us, it was not cool. [laughs]

On
your website you say that Emory Douglas is an inspiration of yours. How does he
influence your work?

Well I don’t know about my work, but I like Emory Douglas for the
fact that he’s slept on. He’s just a powerful artist, what he did for BPP in
the late 60s or 70s was amazing. Man it was just like his pictures were
stories. I like anything that has like five or six layers to it, but feels
simplistic. Emory Douglas is the man. Also I’m a Californian.

What
part of the design process do you most enjoy?

Being by myself. I love solitude. I love laughing with myself. You
know what I mean? I like myself. I love myself, and to tell you the truth, it
took a long time. It takes a lot of levels and you really starting to listen to
your soul.

What
do you think the future of fashion looks like?

Suits and rechargeable pockets.

What
is something currently happening in the fashion world that you find exciting?

Simplicity. Even the fact that when I was a high school like you
had to wear brands. But like I was thrifting, and it just wasn’t popping, you
know? [laughs] But yeah I think it’s really cool now that kids can have a
simplistic look, go to Savers get a three dollar t shirt, get some two dollar
jeans, and just have some basic authentic Vans on and you’re good. You can have
that for two-three years and that’s just gorgeous that you don’t have to be
wrapped up in the bullshit of brands.

What
attracts you to fashion design?

My mom. I get my creativity of visuals from my dad, I get my fashion from my mom. My mom was a flight attendant for 20-30 years and I just loved seeing the things she would get excited about. Like Oakley Frogskins, or whatever people wore. Things people pay attention to, that you could feel. I’ve always liked that. I’ve always liked textiles. As a kid, if I had jerseys or t-shirts, I would have hangers like all over the place, on the vents, on the ceiling, make like a store of my clothes all the time. [laughs] I like clothes a lot.

Dina Kabdolla struts around LAFW
impressively in black patent leather pants and lucite stilettos, with a pop of
neon pink for good measure. Once she sits down, her whole face breaks into a
glittering smile that makes you feel right at home. Fueled by a sense of
gratitude, it is clear that her work is her way of giving back to people.

What was your inspiration for this collection?

My hometown and my traditions. I’m from Kazakhstan, and my culture
is Middle Eastern, it comes from the Turkic root, so I was interested in
representing our rich, mixed culture in this collection.

Your
use of brocade was captivating. Why did you choose that particular textile?

Because back in the day in Kazakhstan, people used to use exactly
those luxury materials and fabrics, like brocade and jacquard. It’s all about
the Middle Eastern influence. You can see the selection of the fabrics is going
back to the Turkic root, to the history, but the silhouettes are Western. I was
kind of trying to show how I see the East and West meeting together.

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

What article of clothing, accessory, or gadget would you say is a
designer’s best friend?

Oh that’s my laptop. I’ve got like everything on my computer.
Illustrator and Photoshop, those are my best friends. And Google. That’s all I
need to brainstorm.

If fashion is your first love, your second is?

Family and friends. My environment. I’m a very simple person.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or charms you keep with you?

My lucky charm is my beautiful daughter, Ayala. My family. I know
that I’m already blessed just to have them, and they’re my foundation for
everything. Why I do what I do every day, my whole brand is based on my family.

What is something currently happening in the fashion world that
you find exciting?

Everything. In general fashion is such a beautiful idea. Everybody
on Earth wants to dress up and be glamorous. It’s the way you present yourself.
Everybody wants to express themselves. I think fashion in general is always
exciting. Everyday there is something, like you look amazing you look so
beautiful. That is so exciting. I like giving beauty to people by dressing them
up.

Is
that love what drives you?

Yes, I love beauty. I love to give people the feeling of beauty. Like there is not a day when I do not compliment people around me. Through my designs I really want to show that you can be comfortable, that’s why I like streetwear. But then in a luxury fabric, it becomes so beautiful. I want to give people beauty, comfort, and confidence.

Picture three of the goofy popular guys
you went to high school with. Charming, always there for a laugh, and now, all
grown up. With good humor and style, the three designers behind CASANOVA, Salvatore,
Angelo, and Luca, are on a mission to create luxurious streetwear that will
last a lifetime.

What
was your inspiration for this collection?

Salvatore: So we definitely took Inspiration
from European military elements, and we focused exclusively on the fit, on the
color tones–

Angelo: And on the quality.

Luca: Yes, quality was a huge focus throughout.

S: We had technical elements as well with the larger cargo pockets
and the inside sleeve pockets.

L: We also took a lot of key points from other street luxury brands,
more into the hype. Like we used plastic stamps, like that’s typically not in
haute couture. But we like to incorporate that even with the super high quality
textiles.

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

Photos by @arlenk.photography

So
using silk for the casual shape of a bomber was an interesting choice, what led
you to choose the fabrics that you did?

L: I think a track suit or a bomber jacket are eternal, forever, no
matter what the fashion is.

S: What we wanted to do is bring a modern rendition to that. By adding
this specific blend of fabrics that we have, the silk on the outside really
gives it a luxury feel, and gives it a nice drapage, and it’ll fit anyone.

A: You can use it on a daily, like this is durable. It looks shiny, it
looks beautiful, but it’s something you can wear every day. You can toss it on
anything, that’s the point of it. That’s what the whole line was about. Whether
it’s on the runway or on the street, we want to make clothes that are realistic,
but look flashy and beautiful.

S: You know, the Casanova flare!

How
would you describe the essence of your brand?

S: It’s all about energy, it’s all about vibes, it’s all about
passion.

L: One hundred percent!

S: Italians specifically, we’re extremely passionate people!

A: If you couldn’t tell…[laughing].

L: Everything we do is passionate. People might think we’re psychotic
because we look at every single detail.

A: All the little details!

Ok
so if fashion is your first love, your second is?

L: Cars.

S: [laughing] Yeah! 100 percent.

A: Then watches, behind that.

L: Cars, watches, fashion…those are the big three.

If
you had to describe your design aesthetic as a texture, what would it be?

S: Ooh, silky!

L: 100 percent silky. That’s actually the textile that gave us the
most inspiration.

The
CASANOVA Instagram features movie clips with the word CASANOVA stamped over
them. What do those mean to you? How would like people to view or interpret
them?

S: Essentially we’re giving off a mood board. We’re giving them a
feel of what we want them to feel. Strong energy, they’re a little bit more
laid back, really high flair, really cool.

L: It’s also relatable to our audience because everybody’s seen these
classic movies or they’ve experienced these vibes. So when we put CASANOVA in
front of it, it’s creates that sense like we’re attaching ourselves with the
media that we are portraying.

A: Yes the easiest way to understand our brand and create a relationship
with the type of person that a CASANOVA is that we’re trying to portray on our
Instagram.

S: Also, at the end of the day, let’s be real, we want everybody to
have a giggle. It’s funny. You watch it and you’re like “oh that’s
clever” It keeps things Interesting.

Who
inspires you?

S: Oh my God. Difficult question. I would say, and I think I can
speak for all of us, I think our inspiration is definitely our family. Our
grandparents, our dads, our mothers, we’re such family oriented people. If it
wasn’t for them, none of this would be possible. They gave us the support and
they gave us the mentality to be strong, disciplined, and driven.

What
do you think the future of fashion looks like?

S: Us.

L: [laughs] In a word, yes us.

S: But realistically, the future of fashion is definitely leaning
towards streetwear, luxury streetwear specifically. In regions like L.A.,
you’ll have a little bit more of a laid back flair. Whereas maybe somewhere
like Milan or Paris you might have something more tailored, a little slimming,
tighter. Also more denim and silk, or different fabrics. That’s where we see
the future of fashion going.

A: Yeah I would definitely say that the future of fashion is looking
elegant, but comfortable, at the same time. If you look back, everything’s
always been rigid and square, which may have to do with what was available to
them. But nowadays, we have access to everything, so why not make it look
amazing, feel amazing, fit you great, but be comfortable.

King Design x Jessica King and Stories of Arabia

Written by Kaamilah Furqan

LA Fashion week saved the
best for last on day 3 of the Fall/Winter ‘19 season. Based on the
presentations that night, it is clear that LAFW showcases more than just
fashion – LAFW aims to send a deeper message that focuses on the social and
cultural impacts on fashion design. The first show of the night featured King
Design created by Jessica King. Her presentation made a bold statement that
encouraged female empowerment. When describing the inspiration behind her brand,
she said, “The brand is all about embodying the confident, independent
unapologetic, overall badass woman.”

In addition to the underlying
theme of female empowerment, King’s collection was heavily pleather and hardware
focused with snakeskin prints and hologram patterns. “I always lean towards a
pleather or hardware kind of feel, but I tried to add a little color this time.
My tradition is to stick to all black. My aim was to focus on nature and dark
colors,” she said when discussing the textiles and colors of her design. Her
line incorporated shades of green and was inspired by her obsession with
dominatrix outfits. “I like how it [dominatrix] makes a woman look. It makes
her look strong and confident, so I like to bring that into a more wearable
type of aspect,” she said.

With the rise of the body
positivity movement, King Design is definitely making a social impact on the
fashion world by breaking society’s beauty standards, encouraging acceptance
and instilling confidence in women all over the world. “I know that fashion is
a business. But at the end of the day, a woman is not going to go for a brand
that doesn’t stand for making a woman feel confident. If a brand doesn’t stand
for women that aren’t your traditional runway beauty, then I don’t think fashion
should be a business for you,” she said.

King’s initial interest in
fashion design was driven by her passion for empowering and uplifting women.
According to King, “I was always an artist in the sense that I always drew,
painted, sketched, etc., but one day I started paying more attention to my
clothes and how I dressed. I realized how pretty and confident I would feel in
a dress or garment and I thought, ‘Wow I really want to bring this [feeling] to
other women.’ I wanted to be able to create my own designs.”

Ultimately, the goal of
Kings’ brand is to bridge the gap between design and female empowerment. The
King Design motto: “I don’t aim to dress women to make them feel just pretty or
elegant. I aim to make them feel confident, like an emotion, rather than just a
physical type of feel,” she said.

The night transitioned from
couture to culture, as the following shows, entitled Stories from Arabia, featured designs heavily influenced from
Moroccan and Dubai culture. The second show showcased elegant and embellished
designs created by Gianni Ricci, who brought the style, colors and jewelry of
Morocco and the Sahara Dessert, to Los Angeles with her own modern twist. The
collection displayed gowns and robes with gold, sequin and floral embellishments.

Translation: “For this
collection of LA Fashion week, I took a trip to the depths of Morocco [the
Moroccan villages] to find the rare pearls and be in touch with the fine and immortal
Moroccan antiques and really I was fulfilled to see the wealth of know-how of
the Moroccans. I was inspired by all of this and I made the beautiful
collection that I call, Queen of the Sahara.”

The last show of the night
emphasized Dubai culture, as the collection featured modest looks made with
satin, silk, and tulle materials. Beautifully embroidered Caftans, Hijab
garments, pantsuits and gowns were displayed on the runway. These designs, created
by Hessa Al Hemel, were inspired by the warm tones of the sunsets in the Middle
East as well as the architecture of Arabic houses.

A key detail that her
collection displayed was the Arabic word “حب,” which means love.
This embroidery stemmed from one of Al Hemel’s favorite quotes, “.هناك دائما حب
وراء الأبواب” which translates to, “There is always love behind doors.”
According to Al Hemel, “This means a lot to me because where there is
love, there is life.”

Al Hemel further describes
Arabic culture and the characteristics of Arabic women: “In Arabic culture, the
woman loves what she wears, respects what she wears and knows how to show off
the pieces she wears,” she said.

Al Hemel created her line to
be worn for every occasion, even in the comfort of your home. Although she does
not have a background in fashion, she has a strong passion for the field. “I
didn’t study fashion, but this [fashion] is my talent. This is what I love,”
she said.

Day 3 of LAFW was a night of
captivating collections that brought social impact and cultural influence to
design. The fantastic patterns, show stopping designs and bold statements truly
were inspiring and a perfect way to close out the week. The Fall/Winter ‘19
season is one that you don’t want to miss.